Inspire, Recruit and Maintain. If one takes a look at the demographics of German educators in the US, one will see that within ten or so years, there is a bit of a retirement predicament. Educators need to identify, support, and protect prospective German teachers as well as new teachers. What ways can educators identify a student as a quality candidate to teach German? How can students be supported as they complete their studies on the post-secondary level? And how do educators support and empower them when they enter the profession? This session will provide ideas and empowering strategies to educators to help build the next generation of German teachers, educators, and program directors, by encouraging questions and ideas to add to the pool of options educators can use to ensure the future of German language education in the US.